Steps to Help Your Child Heal After a Traumatic Experience

This post is written
in partnership with Stress Health, an initiative of
the Center for Youth Wellness.

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I’ve previously written about the current
public health crisis impacting children around the world. Toxic
stress stems from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are traumatic
events in a child’s life, such as physical, mental or sexual abuse. Left
unaddressed, toxic stress can have lasting physical and mental implications.
You can assess your child’s risk for toxic stress by taking the quiz for
Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACES, and thankfully you can reduce
or even reverse its impact on your child.

Here are some ways to help your child heal from adverse childhood experiences.

Counseling

When a person experiences trauma, it is often necessary to
seek outside help to work through it. For children, art or play therapy can be
helpful, along with family therapy. Seek a pediatric psychiatrist or
psychologist to make the best referrals for your case.

Structure
and Routine

Having a consistent routine can help your child heal from anxiety and assist children who are dealing with toxic stress. Transitioning between activities is a common stressor for children. The stress from transitions can be reduced by having reliable routines, sometimes referred to as anchoring rituals, that children can use as indicators for upcoming changes. Anchoring rituals, such as a solid bedtime routine, will build trust between parents and children.

Healthy Diet

The definition of a healthy diet is always changing, but I
believe most of us can agree that a diet low in sugar and high in vegetables is
always a benefit. Teaching children how to make good choices with their food,
their portions and how often they eat will help them develop good habits later
in life. Nutrition plays
an important role in mental health as well as physical health and
can assist your children on their healing path.

Adequate
Rest

Sleep disruptions are a common side effect of stress. The
mind can work overtime while you lay in bed at night –something that is true
for children as well as adults – and lack of sleep can add to the stress your
child is feeling. A bedtime routine is the first step to encouraging healthy
sleep patterns, so try the following techniques to improve your child’s sleep:

Exercise

Daily exercise is the easiest way to increase endorphins and improve your mental well-being. It also increases serotonin, leading to better sleep patterns. When families spend time together being active, they develop stronger relationships and help your child heal. Here are some fun ways to be active as a family:

Combining these strategies can provide your child with the
routine, support and healthy habits he or she needs to recover from toxic
stress. It will also help provide them with the tools they need to cope through
any future stressors.

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Sheri McDonald is an adventurous lifestyle blogger who has been partnering with brands and sharing her stories since 2010. A mother to four children who are growing far too quickly, Sheri shares her travels, recipes and lifestyle advice on Kidsumers.ca and Familyenroute.com.